Internal frame

Abstract

An internal frame (1) for a cigarette pack (100), comprising a front panel (10), a first side panel (20) and a second side panel (30), the first side panel (20) and the second side panel (30) being directly attached to the side edges (12, 14) of the front panel via bend lines (40, 42), and a first compensation panel (50) being directly attached to the side edge (22) of the first side panel (20) via a first fold line (52), the first compensation panel (50) being folded 180° relative to the first side panel (20) about the first fold line (52), and wherein a top edge (51) of the first compensation panel (50) is lower than a top edge (21) of the first side panel (20).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an internal frame for a cigarette pack. The internal frame is placed within the external housing of the cigarette pack to provide additional stability and protection for the cigarettes. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, fragile goods such as cigarettes are typically packaged and introduced to the market in small containers to protect the goods during transport. Such containers may be made from renewable raw materials such as cardboard and often include multiple components. Typically, a soft, tasteless and odorless inner liner directly contains the consumer goods, while a rigid, box-like outer housing forms the container and protects the goods against environmental conditions and external impacts. In some cases, the outer housing includes a hinged, three-dimensional lid for opening and closing the container. The outer housing is further wrapped in a transparent plastic foil for further protection and as an integrity seal. Document WO 2018 / 134593 A1 shows such a "hard pack" type cigarette pack.

[0003] In such hardpack containers, an internal frame is typically disposed between the outer housing and the inner liner to hold the lid in the closed position, seal the container together with the lid in the closed position, and provide additional stability to the container, and this internal frame material is also typically cardboard or paperboard.

[0004] Such containers are designed to hold a specific number of cigarettes. Cigarettes are fragile goods and must be held securely within the packaging without much play. Therefore, the packaging is designed so that the cigarettes do not move around within the container during transport.

[0005] When the number of cigarettes in a cigarette pack varies, specially designed internal frames for cigarette packs have been proposed. For example, prior art document WO 2017 / 071957 A1 shows a rigid cigarette pack collar. The collar is folded to form two partition walls that divide the interior of the cigarette pack into three chambers. This provides two empty chambers on the sides of the pack and a central chamber containing cigarettes. A similar lidded container for cigarettes is known from WO 2016 / 083608 A1. Another hinged-lid cigarette pack with an internal frame that limits the space inside the pack is known from EP 3107831 B1.

[0006] However, in some cases, the size of the cigarettes is slightly changed, but the number of cigarettes in the pack is maintained. Such size changes may in particular mean a reduction in the diameter of the cigarettes, resulting in a slight reduction in the overall width and depth of the cigarette bundle. Such small changes in cigarette diameter may require an entirely new size container, which can result in very high costs. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a cigarette pack that can accommodate slight variations in cigarette diameter size. The objective of the present invention is not to shorten the length of cigarettes. The need for a completely new cigarette container size must be avoided.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to propose an improved packaging structure, in particular for packaging of the overall shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with rounded or beveled corners, which improves the resistance of the packaging to corner and side compression. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above-mentioned problem is solved by an internal frame for a cigarette pack according to claim 1.

[0010] The above-mentioned problems are solved in particular by an internal frame for a cigarette pack, the internal frame comprising a front panel, first and second side panels, the first and second side panels being directly attached to the side edges of the front panel via bend lines, and a first compensating panel being directly attached to the side edges of the first side panel via a first fold line, the first compensating panel being folded 180° relative to the first side panel about the first fold line, the top edge of the first compensating panel being lower than the top edge of the first side panel.

[0011] The first compensation panel is folded 180° relative to the first side panel around the first fold line, so that the inner surface of the first compensation panel contacts the outer surface of the first side panel. This doubles the thickness of the frame at the location of the side panel. This increase in frame thickness reduces the free space within the cigarette pack and compensates for small diameter reductions of the cigarettes. Therefore, cigarettes with small diameter reductions are also reliably held within the internal frame disposed within a conventional cigarette pack's external housing or external box. The internal frame's inclusion of the compensation panel allows the dimensions of the cigarette pack's external housing to be maintained, significantly reducing costs compared to cigarette packs with completely new dimensions. Furthermore, this allows the previously used packaging setup to be maintained, reducing the risk of any manufacturing errors or cosmetic defects in the cigarette packs caused by changes in cigarette dimensions. Therefore, the cross section of the internal frame after folding is generally U-shaped, which can be handled and introduced into the external housing by a conventional cigarette packaging line, just like an internal frame without a compensation panel. This reduces investment in packaging machines and the effort required to reconfigure the packaging machines.

[0012] Preferably, the internal frame further includes a second compensating panel directly attached to a side edge of the second side panel via a second fold line, the first compensating panel being folded 180° relative to the first side panel around the first fold line, and the top edge of the second compensating panel being lower than the top edge of the second side panel. The second compensating panel further adjusts the clearance for the cigarette bundle, further improving the stability of the cigarette pack. This ensures that the cigarette bundle is held within the internal frame and external housing of the cigarette pack, preferably without play.

[0013] Preferably, the upper edge of the first compensation panel is located lower than the upper edge of the first side wall of the lower box-like part of the outer housing of the cigarette box, and / or the upper edge of the second compensation panel is located lower than the upper edge of the second side wall of the outer housing of the cigarette box, so that the first and / or second compensation panels are not visible to a user of the cigarette pack, thereby improving the appearance of the cigarette pack.

[0014] Preferably, after folding the second compensation panel, the inner surface of the second compensation panel contacts the outer surface of the first side panel. Therefore, the cross section of the inner frame after folding also has a general U-shape, which can be handled and introduced into a conventional cigarette packaging line in the same way as an inner frame without a compensation panel. This reduces investment in packaging machines and the effort required to readjust the packaging machines.

[0015] Preferably, the inner surface of the first compensation panel is glued to the outer surface of the first side panel and / or the inner surface of the second compensation panel is glued to the outer surface of the second side panel. This gluing of the compensation panels to their respective side panels ensures perfect handling of the frame in conventional cigarette packaging machines and further enhances the stability of the entire cigarette pack.

[0016] Preferably, the inner frame is arranged so that the first compensation panel and the second compensation panel are in direct layered contact with the inner surfaces of the side panels of the outer housing of the cigarette pack.

[0017] Preferably, the side panels are bent 90 degrees relative to the front panel about their respective bend lines.

[0018] Preferably, the bend line and the first and second fold lines are parallel to each other and extend in the vertical direction of the cigarette pack.

[0019] Preferably, the lower edge of the front panel is positioned at the same vertical height as the lower edge of the first compensation panel and / or the lower edge of the second compensation panel, so that the lower edges of the compensation panel and the front panel can contact the inner surface of the bottom of the external housing, allowing the internal frame to fit perfectly within the external housing.

[0020] Preferably, the vertical height of the lower edges of the front panel, the first compensation panel and / or the second compensation panel is at the same level as the bottom surface of the cigarette pack, so that the lower edges of the compensation panel and the front panel contact the inner surface of the bottom surface of the outer housing.

[0021] Preferably, the lower edges of the first and second side panels are positioned at a higher vertical height than the lower edge of the first compensation panel and / or the lower edge of the second compensation panel, which allows the blanks for the inner frame to be cut out of the cardboard without loss of material.

[0022] Preferably, the first fold line and / or the second fold line are perforation lines or crease lines, which allows the compensation panel to be folded accurately and easily relative to the side panel.

[0023] The above-mentioned problems are also solved by a cigarette pack comprising an outer housing and an inner frame as set forth in any one of claims 1-13.

[0024] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of a cigarette pack into which a preferred embodiment of an internal frame is inserted; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of an unfolded blank sheet of the inner frame. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of an inner frame folded from the blank of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the figures.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an exemplary cigarette pack 100 of the hardpack type having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The packaging 100 of Figure 1 corresponds to a standard crush-proof box of rectangular cross section with right-angled corners for ease of representation, but it may also have rounded or beveled corners. The cigarette pack 100 comprises an outer housing 110 and an inner frame 112, both of which are made of thin cardboard or stiff paper that is folded and glued. An inner space 118 holds a cigarette bundle (not shown) that is typically wrapped in an inner liner made of foil material or metallized paper.

[0028] The outer housing 110 includes a lower box-like portion 120 having a front panel, two side panels 122, a rear panel, and a bottom panel. A retractable three-dimensional lid 114 is attached to the box-like portion 120 by an integral hinge 116. Figure 1 shows the cigarette pack 100 with the lid 114 open.

[0029] The internal frame 1 is inserted into the box-like portion 120 of the outer housing 110 to reinforce the box-like portion 120 and hold the lid 114 of the cigarette pack 100 in a closed position by material friction between the inner surface of the lid and the internal frame tabs 44, 45. The internal frame 1 fits tightly within the box-like portion 120, with the outer surface of the internal frame 1 in direct layer contact. Furthermore, the internal frame 1 is preferably glued to the box-like portion 120, preferably at least to the inner surface of its front panel.

[0030] The internal frame 1 includes a front panel 10, a first side panel 20, and a second side panel 30. The internal frame also includes a first compensation panel 50 and a second compensation panel 60, which are not visible from the outside of the cigarette pack 1. The invisible edges of the internal frame 1 are shown in Figure 1 by dashed lines.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows an unfolded blank sheet of inner frame 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is used in packaging with rounded corners.

[0032] The front panel 1 has a lower edge 13 which, in the final cigarette pack, will be located at the level of the inner bottom surface of the vertical height V of the housing 110 (see also Figure 1). The front panel 1 also has a cutout 11 on its upper edge, which makes it easier for the user to grasp the cigarettes in the cigarette pack 100.

[0033] The first side panel 20 (the left side panel in FIG. 1 ) is directly attached to the side edge 12 of the front panel 10 via a zone having a bend line 40, which is configured to align with corresponding bend lines at the corners of both the housing 110 and the lid 114 of the packaging. The bend line 40 allows the front panel 10 to connect to the first side panel 20 via the rounded corners shown in FIG. 3 . The first side panel 20 is bent a total of 90° relative to the front panel 10 around the bend line 40. The bending around the bend line 40 is clockwise in the top view of FIG. 2 . The zone of the bend line 40 can be replaced with a single bend or fold line to provide a corner as shown in FIG. 1 . Furthermore, the bottom edge 23 of the first side panel 20 is positioned at a higher vertical height than the bottom edge 13 of the front panel 10. The top edge 21 of the first side panel 20 is positioned at the same vertical height as the top edge 15 of the front panel 10.

[0034] The second side panel 30 (the right side panel in FIG. 1 ) is directly attached to the opposite side edge 14 of the front panel 10 via a zone having a bend line 42. The zone having the bend line 42 allows the front panel 10 to connect to the second side panel 30 via the rounded corner shown in FIG. 3 . The second side panel 30 is bent a total of 90° relative to the front panel around the bend line 42. The bending around the bend line 42 occurs counterclockwise in the top view of FIG. 3 . The zone of the bend line 42 is configured to mate with corresponding bend lines at the corners of both the housing 110 and the lid 114 of the packaging, but could be replaced with a single bend or fold line to provide the corner as shown in FIG. 1 . Furthermore, the bottom edge 33 of the second side panel 30 is positioned at a higher vertical height V than the bottom edge 13 of the front panel 10. The top edge 31 of the second side panel 30 is positioned at the same vertical height V as the top edge 15 of the front panel 10.

[0035] The first compensation panel 50 (the left compensation panel in FIG. 1 ) is attached directly to the side edge 22 of the first side panel 20 at a first fold line 52. The first compensation panel 50 is folded 180° relative to the first side panel 20 about the first fold line 52, as shown in FIG. 3 . This folding about the first fold line 52 is preferably performed counterclockwise in the top view of FIG. 3 . Thus, the inner surface 54 of the first compensation panel 50 contacts the outer surface 24 of the first side panel 20. In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface 54 of the first compensation panel 50 is glued to the outer surface 24 of the first side panel 20. This glueing enhances the stability of the inner frame 1 during use and manufacturing.

[0036] The second compensation panel 60 (the right-hand compensation panel in FIG. 1 ) is attached directly to the side edge 32 of the second side panel 30 at the first fold line 52. The second compensation panel 60 is folded 180° relative to the second side panel 20 about the second fold line 62, as shown in FIG. 3 . This folding about the second fold line 62 is preferably performed clockwise in the top view of FIG. 3 . Thus, the inner surface 64 of the second compensation panel 60 contacts the outer surface 34 of the second side panel 30. In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface 64 of the second compensation panel 60 is glued to the outer surface 34 of the second side panel 30. As with the first compensation panel 50, this glueing again increases the stability of the inner frame 1 during use and manufacturing.

[0037] The compensation panels 50, 60, by virtue of their material thickness, allow adjustment of the space 118 within the cigarette box 100 used for a cigarette bundle (not shown). Depending on the diameter of the cigarettes used, either the first and second compensation panels 50, 60 or both the first and second compensation panels 50, 60 are used.

[0038] 1 and 2, the top edges 51, 61 of the first and second compensation panels 50, 60 are at a vertical height V that is lower than the top edge 124 of the side wall 122 of the box-like portion 120. Therefore, the first and second compensation panels 50, 60 are not visible to the user.

[0039] Furthermore, the top edges 21, 31 of the first and second side panels 20, 30 are at a higher vertical height V than the top edges 51, 61 of the first and second compensation panels 50, 60. Thus, the side panels 20, 30 are visible to the user when the lid 114 is open, but the first and second compensation panels 50, 60 are not. The side panels 20, 30 and the front panel 10 clamp the cigarette pack 100 when the lid 114 is closed, similar to a standard internal frame, but without affecting in any way its visual appearance or technical functionality. This is because the compensation panels 50, 60 do not overlay the top edges of the side panels 20, 30 and therefore do not add any thickness thereto.

[0040] To allow a user to more easily remove cigarettes from the cigarette pack 100, the front panel 10 of the inner frame includes a recess 11.

[0041] Furthermore, the lower edges 53, 63 of the first and second compensation panels 50, 60 are located at a vertical height V of the lower edge 13 of the front panel 10 and the inner bottom surface level BL of the outer housing 110. This allows for perfect alignment of the inner frame 1 inside the box-like portion 120 and a good improvement in the rigidity of the cigarette pack 100 at the lower edge. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 inner frame 10 Front Panel 12, 14 Side edges of the front panel 13 Bottom edge of front panel 20 First Side Panel 21 Top edge of first side panel 22 Side edge of first side panel 23 Lower edge of first side panel 24 Exterior 30 Second Side Panel 31 Top edge of second side panel 32 Side edge of second side panel 33 Lower edge of second side panel 34 Exterior 40, 42 bending lines Tabs 44 and 45 50 First Compensation Panel 51 top edge of first compensation panel 52 First fold line 53 Lower edge of first compensation panel 54 Inner 60 Second Compensation Panel 61 Upper edge of second compensation panel 62 Second fold line 63 Lower edge of second compensation panel 64 Inner 100 cigarette packs 110 outer housing 120 Box-shaped part 122 first side wall of box-shaped portion 124 upper edge of first side wall V Vertical direction / vertical height BL Bottom level of cigarette pack

Claims

1. An internal frame (1) for a cigarette pack (100), comprising: a. a front panel (10); b. a first side panel (20) and a second side panel (30) directly attached to the front panel side edges (12, 14) via bend lines (40, 42); c. a first compensation panel (50) attached directly to the side edge (22) of said first side panel (20) via a first fold line (52), said first compensation panel (50) being folded 180° relative to said first side panel (20) about said first fold line (52); and d. the top edge (51) of said first compensation panel (50) is lower than the top edge (21) of said first side panel (20); The internal frame (1) further includes a second compensation panel (60) attached to the side edge (32) of the second side panel (30) via a second fold line (62), the second compensation panel (60) being folded 180° relative to the second side panel (30) around the second fold line (62), and the top edge (61) of the second compensation panel (60) being lower than the top edge (31) of the second side panel.

2. 2. The internal frame according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge (51) of the first compensation panel (50) is positioned lower than the upper edge (124) of the first side wall (122) of the lower box-shaped portion (120) of the external housing (110) of the cigarette pack (100), and / or the upper edge (61) of the second compensation panel (60) is positioned lower than the upper edge of the second side wall (122) of the external housing (110) of the cigarette pack (100).

3. 3. The internal frame of claim 1, wherein the inner surface (54) of the first compensation panel (50) is glued to the outer surface (24) of the first side panel (20) and / or the inner surface (64) of the second compensation panel (60) is glued to the outer surface (34) of the second side panel (30).

4. 4. The internal frame according to claim 1, wherein the first compensation panel (50) and the second compensation panel (60) are arranged to be in direct layered contact with the inner surface of a side panel (122) of the outer housing (110) of the cigarette pack (100).

5. An internal frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the side panels (20, 30) are bent 90° relative to the front panel (10) about the respective bend lines (40, 42).

6. 6. An internal frame according to claim 5, wherein the bending lines (40, 42) and the first and second fold lines (52, 62) are parallel to each other and extend in a vertical direction (V) of the cigarette pack.

7. 7. An internal frame according to claim 1, wherein the lower edge (13) of the front panel (10) is arranged at the same vertical height as the lower edge (53) of the first compensation panel (50) and / or the lower edge (63) of the second compensation panel (60).

8. 8. An internal frame according to claim 7, wherein the vertical height of the lower edges (13, 53, 63) of the front panel (10), the first compensation panel (50) and / or the second compensation panel (60) is at a bottom level (BL) of a cigarette pack (100).

9. 9. An internal frame according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lower edges (23, 33) of the first side panel (20) and the second side panel (30) are arranged at a higher vertical height than the lower edge (53) of the first compensation panel (50) and / or are arranged at a higher vertical height than the lower edge (63) of the second compensation panel (60).

10. An internal frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fold line (52) and / or the second fold line (62) are perforation lines or crease lines.

11. A cigarette pack (100) comprising an outer housing (110) and an inner frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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